Book Review
Dahlia Dwedar
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 14, Issue 2, Article No: ep360
ABSTRACT
The post-millennial era and the Internet evolution have opened flood gates for e-learning as a mode of education. However, overreliance on secondary information as a vehicle to inform the impact of e-learning provides filtered information regarding online learning. Many studies and articles have explored the impetus of online learning, but there remains a gap in understanding online learning through the students’ perspective. In a provocative and equally intriguing book, George Veletsianos reconnoiters online learning by critically focusing on students’ experiences to inform his findings.
Keywords: e-learning, educational technology, internet education, open and distance learning
Research Article
Andrea Lukács
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 13, Issue 4, Article No: ep315
ABSTRACT
Recent literature draws attention to the fact that problematic Internet use is a growing health issue among adolescents worldwide. This study aimed to find the potential demographic, physical and psychopathological risk factors associated with severe problematic Internet use of adolescents. A total of 1,347 adolescents (45.1% males) were recruited from five high schools in three settlements. Students completed an online questionnaire and provided data about socio-demographics, physical activity, physical and psychopathological health, as well as about their Internet use habits (Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire). 1.9% of the respondents appeared to be severe, 20.4% moderate problematic Internet users. The complexity of the problem is manifested in the multifaceted relationships of factors. The multinomial regression analysis identified four significant risk factors for severe problematic internet use, namely depressive symptoms, loneliness, low level of father’s education level and low level of physical activity. The real severe problematic Internet use is not so common in adolescent students, however, together with moderate problematic Internet users, this number has significance. Psychopathological factors such as elevated depressive symptoms and loneliness should be considered when preventive programs are implemented and more attention should be taken on physical activity as an effective tool against addictive behavior.
Keywords: adolescents, depressive symptoms, loneliness, physical activity, problematic Internet use
Research Article
Almira R. Bayanova, Irina V. Sivova, Yuliya L. Kamasheva, Olga V. Popova, Evgeny V. Semyanov, Rozalina V. Shagieva, Il’dar M. Yusupov
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 11, Issue 1, pp. 47-54
ABSTRACT
The article aims to study the practices of students’ use of services in the conditions of digitalization. The leading methods for the study of this problem are the methods of questioning and testing, allowing to make a qualitative analysis of student consumption practices in the conditions of digitization of services. These methods allowed revealing the peculiarities of online consumption practices by students. The authors found that the majority of students who are not actively using online services, to some extent had experience using online services, but almost every tenth of them had negative result. It is established that students are distrustful of new methods to obtain services, especially when it comes to any operations related to money. It is shown that students who do not practice online services have a feeling that the provided online services are of poor quality, and informants are ready to experience some discomfort in exchange for the usual, guaranteed and high quality, in their opinion, service. In addition, students who are not actively using online services note that it is not easy for them to adapt to new technologically advanced things, but the rest of the students believe that they can adapt to innovations, but the way of providing services that is now perceived as traditional one is the most acceptable for them. It is established that the leader in the use of online services is a taxi. This service is used by all students to some extent, followed by the service of food delivery and only then online banking, online shopping and public services. The novelty and originality of the study lies in the fact that the features of consumption practices among students actively practicing online services and avoiding them are revealed. It is established that students who have little recourse to online services are wary of modern services, which is based either on the previous negative experience of use, or on the unsatisfactory experience of friends, believe that those techniques and applications that are now on the market are not optimal for them and the usual methods of obtaining services for them remain more comfortable and familiar, even though more time spent on obtaining a particular service. The practical significance lies in the fact that the data obtained in the work can be used in social psychology, age psychology, labor psychology, management, sociology, as well as for further theoretical development of this issue.
Keywords: students, consumption, Internet, e-Commerce
Research Article
Osman Erol, Nese Sevim Cirak
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 10, Issue 2, pp. 156-172
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to examine the loneliness and Internet addiction levels of college students in terms of demographic variables and to determine the variables that predict their Internet addiction level. Data were collected from college students studying at a public university in Turkey. The UCLA Loneliness Scale Version3 and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were used as the data collection tools. College students were delivered an online survey and at the end 489 college students were voluntarily participated in the study. This survey study employed independent sample t-tests, ANOVA tests, correlation and multiple regression tests for data analysis. The results show that younger participants felt significantly more loneliness than older participants; similarly, students in lower classes felt more alone than those in upper classes. In terms of addiction, it is seen that the frequent use of computers, smartphones and social media increases the Internet addiction level of students. The study suggests a significant correlation between loneliness, Internet addiction, age, and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Additionally, loneliness and CGPA significantly predict Internet addiction. This study may be important in terms of determining the psychological variables affecting today's increasing technology addiction (internet, smart phone, etc.). Thus, determining the effect of the level of loneliness of young people on internet addiction may be effective in terms of preventing this addiction.
Keywords: Internet addiction, Loneliness, UCLA loneliness scale, Internet addiction test
Research Article
Ali Simsek, Kemal Elciyar, Taner Kizilhan
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 10, Issue 2, pp. 106-119
ABSTRACT
Considering that social media addiction is probably the most recent type of technology addiction, the present study was designed based on the six components suggested by Griffiths (2013). Toward the main purpose of the study, the "Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale" was adapted to social media addiction and translated into Turkish. After the validation process, it was administered to a total of 700 students; of them 397 were high school students and 303 were university students. The data collection instrument included 18 five-point Likert-type items in six categories, along with 5 structured items regarding demographics of the respondents. In addition to the original findings of the present study, similar research on social media addiction in some other countries were examined for comparisons. The results showed that both university students and high school students have a moderate level of addiction to social media. Being a university or high school student does not make any difference on the level of social media addiction. However, significant differences were found regarding gender, duration of use, department at the university, and type of high school. Finally, the results of the study show certain similarities and a few differences with the results of the studies conducted in other countries.
Keywords: Internet addiction, Social media, Internet addiction, Social media addiction, University students, High school students
Research Article
Levent Cetinkaya
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 10, Issue 1, pp. 55-74
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental psychological and behavioral control which the adolescents perceived from their parents and internet addiction. It employed relational survey model and was carried out with the participation of a total of 356 students (female=205, male=151) aged 14-18. Correlation and regression analyses were utilized to determine the level and direction of the relationship between their perceived parental psychological and behavioral control, and internet addiction. The results yielded a positive, medium-level and meaningful relation between them. It was found that parental psychological control explained nearly 18% of the total variance in internet addiction and mothers are perceived as significantly more psychologically controlling in internet addiction than fathers. Also, the relationship between parental behavioral control and the level of adolescents’ internet addiction was found negative and non-significant. Consequently, it was noted that perceived parental psychological control was effective in adolescents’ internet addiction tendencies, whereas behavioral control did not produce such effect.
Keywords: Internet addiction, Psychological control, Behavioral control, Parental control
Research Article
Fırat Tufan
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 7, Issue 2, pp. 160-173
ABSTRACT
Within the scope of this study, which deals with distance education method as a communication process, a focus group interview was conducted with voluntary students who were randomly selected from various areas/majors at the Department of Distance Education in Istanbul University in order to determine the relationship between their general Internet usage habits and their Internet usage as a part of distance learning and in line with their expectations. The questions posed for the students during the interview process were drawn up on the basis of Internet medium serving a mass medium and for multi-purposes. The study revealed a positive relationship between general Internet usage habits of distance education students and their particular Internet usage habits during their education. It is concluded that the ability of students to adapt to social media applications and especially to social networks, which are the latest Internet applications based on interactive communications, is considerably high. The expectations of the students from the latest Internet applications are also high when it comes to distance education process.
Keywords: Distance Education, Internet usage habits, Information and communication technologies in education, Communication
Research Article
Eylem Simsek, Jale Balaban Sali
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp. 239-256
ABSTRACT
How Internet addiction affects happiness of university students in terms of their cognitive and emotional resources was not adequately investigated. One of the inner resources of life satisfaction and happiness is defined as psychological capital (PsyCap), under the paradigm of positive psychology. PsyCap consists of four main sub-factors: hope, resilience, self-efficacy, and optimism. The major purpose of this study is to examine the role of Internet addiction and social media membership on PsyCap. The interaction between social media membership and Internet addiction was also investigated. The study employed a quantitative approach of scientific inquiry which combined descriptive, relational, and comparative models. The sample consisted of 209 students at a medium size state university in Turkey. Internet Addiction Inventory (Young, 1998) and Psychological Capital Questionnaire (Luthans et al., 2007) were employed as data gathering tools. A demographic data sheet was also used for determining the reasons and the amount of time for using Internet. In analyzing data, a set of correlation, analysis of variance, and multiple regression techniques were conducted. The results were complex. Internet addiction and PsyCap were negatively correlated. Students who spend more time on the Internet and social media, who are male and use Internet for daily communication were more likely to have higher Internet addiction scores. PsyCap can be significantly predicted by academic success, Internet addiction and having a blog. Although social media using time was not interacted with PsyCap, social media membership leaded to both higher PsyCap and higher Internet addiction. Especially, PsyCap scores of the students who had Linkedln and YouTube accounts were significantly higher. Internet addiction scores were also higher for students having Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Linkedln accounts. It can be concluded that Internet addiction decreases PsyCap. Social media membership increases both Internet addiction and PsyCap.
Keywords: Internet addiction, Psychological capital, Social media, Positive psychology
Research Article
Elirea Bornman
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 3, Issue 4, pp. 278-292
ABSTRACT
The single most dynamic ICT development in recent years has been the worldwide surge in mobile phone subscriptions. This “mobile miracle” has been continued in the developing world, particularly in Africa. At a time when discourses on the information society have focused on the internet, the mobile phone has been providing access to telecommunication to people at the bottom of the income pyramid – often for the first time in their lives. Moreover, mobile broadband internet has raised hopes that mobile phones will allow Africa to leapfrog across the digital divide towards becoming an information society. This article addresses issues related to Africa’s position in the information society pertaining to access to mobile phones and mobile broadband; pricing, ICT skills and readiness, usage patterns, potential for usage in education, and impact on the lives of Africans. Conclusions are drawn on the potential role of mobile phones as information highways to the information society.
Keywords: Information society, Mobile broadband, Information highway, Mobile phone, Mobile technologies in education, Internet access in Africa
Research Article
Ozgen Korkmaz, Cengiz Sahin, Ertugrul Usta
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 2, Issue 3, pp. 200-212
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interaction and audience anxiety levels and Internet addiction of adults. The research was performed in the survey model as a descriptive study. A total of 384 adults with different ages living in a Central Anatolian city constituted the sample of the study. Data were collected through the Interaction and Audience Anxiety Scale (α=.91) and Internet Addiction Scale (α=.86). The mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, and Pearson correlation coefficient were employed in analyzing the data (p < .05). The following results were obtained: Both the interaction anxiety and audience anxiety levels of adults were low. The levels among adults in the ages of 20-29 were significantly higher than the levels among adults in other age-groups. The levels of interaction anxiety and audience anxiety in the student group were significantly higher than other occupational groups. Gender did not differentiate interaction and audience anxiety levels of adults. There was also a positive and significant correlation between the levels of anxiety and Internet addiction.
Keywords: Interaction anxiety, Audience anxiety, Internet addiction, Adults
Research Article
Frank W. K. Amenyedzi, Mary N. Lartey, Beloved M. Dzomeku
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 2, Issue 2, pp. 151-162
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to assess the computer and Internet usage as supplementary educational material to enhance quality education; help improve educational management and planning; how students use the computers and internet to facilitate their learning; how teachers in the Tema Senior High Schools use the computers and Internet to teach and guide students. Stratified sampling method was used to select students and teachers. The results showed that a significantly high percentage of respondent teachers (92%) were computer literate and 78% of respondent students also had basic knowledge in computer. However, less than 15% of these teachers used the internet as an innovative way of improving teaching and learning. Over 30% of the teachers used the computer mainly for research work. Less than 40% of student respondents used the computer and the Internet facility for entertainment, whereas less than 25% used it for research and learning. Less than 40% of respondent students used the Internet for e-mail and browsing. It was revealed that Internet and computers have helped students to achieve new things such as finishing assignments, solving problems, learning history of other countries, improving typing skills, and chatting with friends. There is no clear interaction between teachers and students through the use of Internet facilities. The Internet was not used for guidance. Despite the limited use of computers by teachers in their teaching, many agree that the computer has changed the way students learn. One fourth of teachers have received some form of training in the use of computers, with quite minimal training in the pedagogical integration of ICT. It appears that integration of ICT in Ghanaian school systems is a major step in promoting innovation.
Keywords: Computer, Internet, Teaching, Learning, Guidance
Research Article
Necmi Esgi, Vildan Cevik
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 1, Issue 3, pp. 221-232
ABSTRACT
This study investigated primary education students’ perception of the Internet through resorting to the images they produced for the Internet concept. Sixty five primary education students constituted the sample of the study. Participants were asked to draw a picture concerning the Internet concept. In addition, researchers gave a 10-item survey form to voluntary students to collect demographic information. Frequency, percentage and Chi-square analyses were carried out for the demographic data collected. Qualitative analyses were conducted on the pictures students drew, and an evaluation chart was prepared. The images that students generated concerning Internet concepts have been categorized as: “game, homework, chat, research, music, video, violence and news”. Furthermore, other remarkable themes were torch, individualism, motionlessness and so on. Most common reasons of using the Internet were homework and games. It was revealed that personal Internet usage coincided with the images created concerning the Internet. There appeared a direct connection with the first three objects which came to mind about the Internet and the images they produced.
Keywords: Students of Primary Education, Internet, Perception, Painting, Images